Tag: Jack Jones

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Chant du Vin @ Brokenwood Wines, Pokolbin – 1 May 2021

I’ve been thrilled there are more gigs on the concert calendar lately, but I’m also pretty selective about what I’m seeing. Rising hotel quarantine cases mean I can’t quite breathe easy, and the cooler weather makes hermitting so easy. However, I found myself venturing out on Saturday night, and I’m so glad I did. Chant du Vin is a new concert series, but hopefully it’ll be around for some time.

If like me you love the laidback vibes of winery shows but aren’t quite ready to sit among a massive crowd, Chant du Vin’s concerts are for you. Chant du Vin plays several shows in each wine region, choosing small wineries for their venues rather than the massive vineyards that host the Day on the Green events. There couldn’t have been more than 150 of us at Brokenwood Wines on Saturday night, one of four Hunter Valley shows for the event. Those of us with general admission tickets relaxed on our own picnic rugs and the chairs and beanbags organisers had thoughtfully left while the VIP ticket holders looked down from the event’s double-decker bus. A quality menu of food options and top-notch wines added to the atmosphere. Can I just say what a welcome change it is to be able to buy a bottle at any time during a winery show? Heaven!

It was like the organisers looked at my own personal wish list before booking acts for this all-acoustic night of entertainment. It’s been too long since I’ve seen Mahalia Barnes shining in the spotlight. She’s always stellar providing backing vocals for her dad, Jimmy Barnes, but I relished the opportunity to see her playing her own set. Hard Expectations was one of my favourite albums of 2018, so I was thrilled to see some of its tracks making the set. She peppered the originals with singalong classics including “I Am Woman” and “Heading in the Right Direction,” a beautiful way to pay tribute to some of the female pioneers of the Aussie music scene.

Mahalia reminisced about falling in love with Jack Jones’ music when she was just 8. I marvelled that I was only a couple of years older. Surely that makes the music of Southern Sons some of the first I fell in love with independent of my parents’ influence. The funny thing is, when he plays it doesn’t seem like more than 30 years have passed. Songs like “You Were There,” “Lead Me to Water,” and “Heart in Danger” still stand up. Jack’s voice hasn’t wearied at all over the years. When you play acoustic, there’s nowhere to hide, yet it rang out clear as a bell. He might have dismissed them as perfect toilet breaks songs, but for this fan hearing some new tracks was a real thrill.

If it was meant to be a mellow night of music, Sarah McLeod didn’t get the memo. She might have played an acoustic guitar, but her irresistible energy brought the night home strong. It was an eclectic and slightly unhinged set, featuring everything from Gershwin and Mahalia Jackson standards to solo songs and Superjesus tracks. After seeing Sarah supporting John Waite a few years ago, I had an inkling what to expect and knew just to hang on and enjoy the ride. And what a ride. She’s brilliant.

The Chant du Vin website suggested the show would finish around 9 but the artists were having none of it. They joined forces for some singalong tracks, making the show feel even more like we were just hanging with friends. I can’t remember how long it’s been since I was at an event and encouraged to sing, but gee it felt good to join in for songs like “Slipping Away” and “Proud Mary.”

As I walked back to the car at around 10, I marvelled that this show was the most relaxed I’ve felt in public since the pandemic began. We all had our own space, yet still felt like we were sharing something with the musicians and other concert-goers. I didn’t feel like reaching for my mask. I chatted happily with the people beside me. It all felt so normal and so wonderful. If you want to get in on some of that, check out Chant du Vin at one of the remaining shows. Limited tickets are still available.

6 May 2021 – Ross Hill Wines, Orange
7 May 2021 – Stockman’s Ridge Wines, Orange
8 May 2021 – Tamburlaine Wines, Borenore
9 May 2021 – JS Wines, Nashdale
13 May 2021 – Calabria Family Wines, Griffith
14 May 2021 – Lillypilly Wines, Leeton
15 May 2021 – De Bortoli Wines, Bilbul
16 May 2021 – Casella Family Wines, Yenda
20 & 21 May 2021 – Lake George Winery, Lake George
22 & 23 May 2021 – The Vintner’s Daughter, Murrumbateman

Image source: own photos

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jack Jones @ Lizotte’s, Newcastle – 9 June 2019

Jack Jones insists he isn’t a nostalgic person. But on the 30-year anniversary of the reformation of his breakthrough band Southern Sons, he admits he’s looking back on their body of work with fondness. That affection he has for his early work and so much great music of the past made Sunday’s show at Lizotte’s a celebration of what could only be called nostalgia.

Decades have passed since the Southern Sons hey-day, yet the rapturous reception to the opening strains of “Always and Ever” are a testament to the place those songs still have in the hearts of the packed-out Newcastle venue. Stripped back and acoustic, Jack’s incredible voice really came to the fore. He’s lost nothing over the years. It wasn’t just the big hits that earned applause though. Album tracks like “Something More” and “Wildest Love” were received just as rapturously. I marvelled at the way the human mind works. These songs aren’t on Spotify and my cassettes have long since given up the ghost, so at least 20 years must have passed since I heard these songs. Yet I still found myself singing along to every word without missing a beat. I guess the music you listen to in your formative years really doesn’t leave you.

Jack punctuated the songs with tales of his own formative years in music and caught us up on his what he’s been doing since the band parted ways. He joked that there’s never a quick story where he’s concerned, and I sensed some of the crowd getting restless as he reminisced, but I hung on his every word. I’ve always felt like if you simply want to hear the music, you could stay home with a CD. Lizotte’s has always given audiences a little more than that, and I relished the opportunity to learn more than those Smash Hits magazines of my youth ever taught me.

While Southern Sons’ music was the focus, Jack also took time to celebrate the classics. “Norwegian Wood” and “Blackbird” were a nod to his recent Beatles tribute shows. Covers of over iconic songs including “Stairway to Heaven,” “Dear Prudence,” and “Satisfied Mind” were less predictable and greatly received.

I was just 10 when Southern Sons released their debut album, so I was too young to join in when they played the pubs and clubs in the ‘90s. This show gave me a chance to experience the music I loved, and then some, as I couldn’t before. Thankfully, I’m not done. When Southern Sons announced their reformation for the upcoming One Electric Day shows, I snapped up tickets for Sydney in the presale. Seeing Jack at Lizotte’s on Sunday put on such an amazing show has made me only more excited for the band’s return.

Image source: own photo

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rick Price & Jack Jones Announce “California Dreaming” Tour

California Dreaming is one of my favourite albums of the year. Bringing together two of the country’s most superb voices, Rick Price and Jack Jones, for some of the best songs ever written was pure genius. So I was thrilled to hear they’ll bring the album to venues around the country next year. Sure I’ve already bought tickets to eight 2018 gigs already, but why not?

“We have been blown away by the reaction to the album and how these songs and our take on them, have resonated with the public,” Rick said. “It’s an amazing opportunity to showcase them on a big stage, with a phenomenal band, in such a vast spread of locations.”

“Rick and I have been talking about doing something for close to two decades,” Jack added. “It was a great opportunity to work together and celebrate great artists, some great songs and a certain time and genre. That period in music will never be repeated again. And now we get to play them live!”

Tickets go on sale at midday on Friday, November 10.

3 May 2018 – The Concert Hall, Brisbane
10 May 2018 – Anita’s Theatre, Wollongong
11 May 2018 – Tamworth Entertainment Centre, Tamworth
12 May 2018 – Narrabri Crossing Theatre, Narrabri
17 May 2018 – AEC Theatre, Adelaide
18 May 2018 – Geelong Arena, Geelong
19 May 2018 – Hamer Hall, Melbourne
24 May 2018 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
25 May 2018 – Star Theatre, Gold Coast
26 May 2018 – Royal Theatre, Canberra
27 May 2018 – Civic Theatre, Newcastle

Image used with permission from Revolutions Per Minute PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“California Dreaming” – Rick Price & Jack Jones

California Dreaming has been one of my most anticipated albums of the year. The idea of two of Australia’s best voices – Rick Price and Jack Jones – coming together really excited me. The track listing was superb, featuring songs I’ve known and loved all my life. But could it possibly match my expectations? It’s a big yes from me.

This album sounds just like it should, with Rick and Jack’s beautiful voices front and centre, but ably supported by a tight band and superb backing vocals. The covers are delivered with such heart and reverence. They’re not cookie cutters of the originals, which I appreciate, but they don’t veer too far away from the source material. I haven’t felt a cover of “Light My Fire” did justice to The Doors classic until now. Their take on “Both Sides Now,” by Joni Mitchell, is so moving. I didn’t quite expect the emotional punch “Desperado” delivered either. Then there are the tracks that are just good fun, like “Take It Easy” and “Running on Empty.” These guys might not have written the songs, but goodness they tell the stories convincingly. They also get the balance right; there are some heartbreakers here but also those songs that are just so much fun to sing along with.

This is the kind of album that the grandparents of Australia are going to dig. It’s the music they grew up with executed perfectly. I just hope more young people take a listen to it over family BBQs, because it really deserves to be heard. I’ve listened to a lot of albums of covers recently, and California Dreaming is one of the best.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rick Price and Jack Jones Team Up For “California Dreaming”

My inner teen can’t wait to hear California Dreaming, an album featuring two of my first musical crushes, Rick Price and Jack Jones, covering the classic North American music I grew up with. I’m so excited to hear these two fantastic voices take on some of my favourite artists including The Eagles, Jackson Browne, and Joni Mitchell.

“I felt we needed to pay homage to these songs and be respectful to the melodies and arrangements and not drift too far off the reservation. But, at the same time we wanted to add some things here and there that made a difference,” Rick said in a statement.

“Rick and I have been talking about doing something for close to two decades,” Jack added. “It was a great opportunity to work together and celebrate great artists, some great songs and a certain time and genre. That period in music will never be repeated again.”

We get a little taste of what’s in store with the release of the title track, the Mamas and the Papas classic “California Dreamin’.” It does not disappoint.

The California Dreaming album is released on September 29.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tears for Fears and Spandau Ballet @ Sydney Entertainment Centre, 23 April 2010

On Friday night I stepped back to the 80s for the Tears for Fears/Spandau Ballet show at Sydney’s Entertainment Centre. Thankfully despite the years that had passed since these monster acts last graced our shores, nothing much has changed. From the enthusiastic crowd reactions to the high quality of the bands, it was as if we’d all never left the decade that fashion forgot.

Jack Jones opened the show with a low-key, yet utterly compelling set. It’s no secret that I love acoustic music, and hearing the songs he made famous with Southern Sons in this raw way was just beautiful. With his long scraggy mo and similarly unkempt hair Jack is a far cry from the man I swooned over all those years ago, but his voice has lost nothing over the years. It’s still as pure and strong as it ever was, and hits like “Hold Me In Your Arms” and “You Were There” really showed off his pipes. It’s a shame there were so many empty seats. 7 pm is an early start time for a weekday show, but I have a feeling the people who missed him might kick themselves.

Tears for Fears followed Jack with an energetic, hit-packed set. Within the first four songs we’d already heard “Mad World,” “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” and “Sowing The Seeds of Love,” so I was beginning to wonder what else was left! But they played much longer, and while I wasn’t as familiar with most of the latter half of the set it was all brilliant stuff. Their modern take on “Woman in Chains,” complete with a freakishly feminine sounding male back-up singer in Oleta Adams’ place, was particularly incredible, as was the big closer, “Shout.” I wasn’t a massive Tears for Fears fan in the 80s, but these guys have converted me. The voices of Roland Orzabel and Curt Smith have lost nothing over the years, and they’re performing with as much energy and musical prowess as I’d expect from performers many years their junior.

Continue reading “Tears for Fears and Spandau Ballet @ Sydney Entertainment Centre, 23 April 2010” →